MESA, Ariz. - James McDonald said spending five months on the disabled list was more valuable to his career than winning 12 games with the Pirates in 2012. "It opened my eyes," McDonald said Friday before the Cubs' first spring training workout for pitchers and catchers. "I wasn't as prepared as I should have been. I took this offseason more seriously. I started working out the first week in October, working out five days a week because I had a chip on my shoulder. I was...

PHOENIX -- James McDonald's bid to earn the fifth spot in the Chicago Cubs' rotation suffered a blow Monday when he was pulled after two pitches because of right shoulder soreness. McDonald, who missed the final five months of the 2013 season with Pittsburgh because of a right shoulder injury, received medical attention after his second pitch of the game against Oakland's Coco Crisp sailed to the backstop at Phoenix Municipal Stadium. Manager Rick Renteria was accompanied by a...

MESA, Ariz. - James McDonald didn't need any reassurances after allowing six runs in one-plus inning Friday, but he received words of encouragement from Chicago Cubs manager Rick Renteria. “I actually spoke to James this morning,” Renteria said of McDonald, who is competing for the fifth spot in the Cubs' rotation. “I said, 'Don't look at that; that's a blip. Don't worry about that.' He's going to have plenty of opportunities to go out there and put himself in the position to show...

"Knight Rider" 7 p.m., WMAQ-Ch. 5 Mike has to stop the spread of a computer virus that threatens a global meltdown, but the job gets much harder when KITT is infected; Mike gets jealous when Sarah reconnects with an old flame who might be the key to solving the latest mission. "Montreux Jazz Festival 2005" 7 p.m., Ovation Performances include George Benson and David Sanborn. Clips from the 2004 festival, including appearances by include B.B. King and Suzanne Vega, follow at 8 p.m. "Mixing...

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Left-hander Chris Rusin and James McDonald each suffered blows Friday in their first shots at earning the fifth spot in the Chicago Cubs' rotation. Rusin was tagged for four runs on five hits in the second inning, and McDonald surrendered a grand slam to Mike Trout in the fourth as the Cubs trail the Los Angeles Angels 15-3 entering the top of the ninth. Rusin, who had a 6.55 ERA in his final five starts of 2013, allowed a two-run double to Chris...

The Illinois Department of Mental Health on Wednesday was investigating the apparent drowning death of a man at a state psychiatric facility on the Near West Side. James McDonald, 32, of 4937 N. Troy St., was found in a tub at the Illinois State Psychiatric Institute, 1601 W. Taylor St., on Tuesday, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office. Questions of staff negligence and improper supervision that might have led to McDonald's death were being investigated by the department,...

MESA, Ariz. - Competition these days for the Cubs consists solely of the battles for the opening day roster spots. There's understandably more talk of the relief depth and potential replacements for the fifth spot in the rotation while Jake Arrieta recovers from right shoulder stiffness than owner Tom Ricketts' declaration last week that the Cubs can compete for a playoff berth. Players seem eager to start playing Wednesday with an intrasquad game followed Thursday by the exhibition opener...

MESA, Ariz. - James McDonald said spending five months on the disabled list was more valuable to his career than winning 12 games with the Pirates in 2012. "It opened my eyes," McDonald said Friday before the Cubs' first spring training workout for pitchers and catchers. "I wasn't as prepared as I should have been. I took this offseason more seriously. I started working out the first week in October, working out five days a week because I had a chip on my shoulder. I was...

The Sports Xchange Pirates' McDonald scratched from start Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander James McDonald, scheduled to start Tuesday's game against the Seattle Mariners, was placed on the disabled list after he experienced what the team described as shoulder discomfort. Jeanmar Gomez started in place of McDonald, who is 2-2 with a 5.76 ERA in six starts this season but has struggled with control issues while walking a National League-high 20 batters. McDonald's early struggles...

MESA, Ariz. - Adding Jason Hammel and James McDonald became as much a necessity as a luxury to the Cubs' rotation on the eve of their first workout for pitchers and catchers. That's because Jake Arrieta, targeted for a spot at the back end of the rotation, might not be ready for the start of the regular season because of right shoulder tightness. General manager Jed Hoyer made the disclosure Thursday, saying Arrieta resumed throwing recently. "But he will be a little...

MESA, Ariz. - Brett Marshall never threw a pitch in the Cubs' organization, and left-hander Brooks Raley didn't get his chance to compete for a spot in the bullpen. The Reds and Twins, respectively, claimed Marshall and Raley on waivers Wednesday. But the loss of those players actually could help the Cubs, who are expected to announce the signings of starting pitcher Jason Hammel and reliever James McDonald this week. The Cubs claimed Marshall, 23, off waivers in December from...

The Sports Xchange Report: RHP McDonald signs with Cubs The Chicago Cubs signed pitcher James McDonald to a minor-league contract on Friday, according to a report. The former Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander received an invitation to join the Cubs in spring training, 670thescore.com reported, and could compete for a spot in Chicago's starting rotation in 2014. The 29-year-old McDonald started six games in 2013 for the Pirates and went 2-2 with a 5.76 ERA in 29 2/3 innings...

MLB Team Report - Pittsburgh Pirates - INSIDE PITCH The Pirates like to talk about their starting pitching depth and how they will have tough decisions to make once right-handers James McDonald and Charlie Morton end their injury rehabilitation assignments in the minor leagues. However, there are some reasons to wonder just how much McDonald and Morton can help the Pirates once they are healthy enough to pitch in the major leagues again. While both are talented, neither has had sustained...

The Sports Xchange MLB Team Report - Pittsburgh Pirates - INSIDE PITCH The Pirates like to talk about their starting pitching depth and how they will have tough decisions to make once right-handers James McDonald and Charlie Morton end their injury rehabilitation assignments in the minor leagues. However, there are some reasons to wonder just how much McDonald and Morton can help the Pirates once they are healthy enough to pitch in the major leagues again. While both...